Today we're heading back to Ipswich. A man out there, whose rental property was severely damaged in the floods last year, has FINALLY got the walls back on his home. He rents this property out, having purchased it to have something for his retirement, only to have his own home and this property damaged in the floods, and insurance refused to pay. We're going up to help paint the home, so he can get some tenants back in it as quickly as possible.

Happy birthday, Desiree!

Sean - I'll have to pop over to Robstenation and have a look at those shots. Have a good sleep!

Tonise - thank for bringing in all those lovely, cosy blankets and things!

Jenn - It's great that your mum will be coming to visit soon! She must be a distance away, if she can only visit that often.

Nothing much to comment on so far tonight. I've been casually checking in on the Daytona 24 Hour race.

I might make some fried chicken and read/watch some cooking shows tonight, and maybe play some VGs. There's some new Kristen SWATH stuff at Robstenation.

About the only thing I can offer about my mom's job right now is that she'll at least get a pension because of the union that she's working for, and if she can find a decent part time job, she'll be making quite a bit more than she's making now.

Just a bit of a strange night--sort of boring and I got done with a lot of stuff early, and I can't figure out anything else to do until about 8:00 or so.

Hey all. It's been a crazy day for me today, so I'm just now able to get online. Today, we had ISSMA district contest for Biggun' (he got a gold rating!), soccer training for Littlun, then home, than back to keeper training for Littlun, off to Cougar Cuisine, which was this wonderful dining event to raise money for the extracurriculars at the high school where about 20 local restaurants all set up boothes in the cafeteria to sample their wares for a flat admission price, and finally, Biggun played in the pep band tonight. I decided to leave the boys to their fun after supper, so I'm home enjoying a bit of quiet while Hubs stays at the game with the boys. Whew! I'm telling you, there are days I have to try very hard to remember what a weekend day is supposed to be.

Lynne~ I’m so glad the birthday party went well! Sometimes it just takes the right situation or group of people. I was speechless tonight. We went to a fundraiser event for the school and there was my normally VERY shy and reserved hubs voluntarily flitting about chatting with people left and right. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. That’s a wonderful thing you are doing.

Amy~ The answer is always both, particularly where Rob is concerned!

KSter~ I freaking LOVE that last gif. You’re absolutely right, it HAD to be added!!

Susie~ You must have needed the rest for sure. Aww, tell DaughterDear to have fun and be safe in Mexico City.

Ginnie~ I still love the shirt, but I think you’re right. There are several of us who would have to do some creative embroidery to be able to wear a junior size. I don’t think I wore a junior size when I WAS a junior! I will send good thoughts and loving vibes. Yes, those conversations are hard, but when there is love there, coming out on the other side of them can be even better.

Brenda~ I absolutely love your kitchen. Although, every time I see those pics of Edward&Bella, I can’t help but gnash my teeth that we never saw that scene. What a wonderful dream to remember!

Tonise~ It was definitely a busy day. If I get to choose my blankie… EclipseWard for sure!!

JennJenn~ Yay for Mommy/Daughter time! And awesome to hear about your mom’s visit. I’m sure you are way excited!

Sean~ Ah, a silver lining to that cloud. That’s good news to hear about your mom and her financial situation. I really need to remember to check Robstenation more often. I’ve been wondering about SWatH of late.

Ginnie~ We'll definitely keep you, your husband, and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Hang in there sweetie, and remember that we're always here with a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear, and Robcrack for distraction.

Susie~ Hope you're getting plenty of rest and relaxation these next couple of weeks. When do you plan on returning to work? Enjoy seeing the kiddos while they're home briefly from college. How is Sonny Boy adjusting this semester?

Caryn~ Good to see you....sounds like one of your typically busy weekend days running here, there, and everywhere with your boys. Cougar Cuisine sounds like a great way to raise $$ for the school. May I share the Eclipse blanket with you--it's my favorite too. I'm not a blanket hog.

Lynne~ I'm glad to hear both you and your little boy had fun at the birthday party. It's always nice to see the kiddos interact outside of the school setting, and it's also a good way for you to familiarize yourself with the parents as well.

Missp~ Love the cozy blanket and throws, and I can just imagine the look hubs would give me if I showed up with one of those in the house....

Hi to Marielle, Jaclyn, Chrissy, Sean, Brenda, Kristiner, Jenn Jenn, and anyone else I've missed. I hope to check back in with all of you tomorrow afternoon or evening. Hope everyone has a relaxing and restful Sunday.

29 canon (or nearly canon) stories entered anonymously, voting for about the next month. One is my first Twilight story (first story period for a long time), one is by a rather more established author, also a Lex denizen. (Not Ginnie ... as far as I know!) Go to Fanfiction.net, search author = thecanontour. Read, review, vote! (I love that little smilie.)

We were up at Ipswich painting today, and I'm kind of tired! We got the first coat done throughout the whole house. Our church is going to go up next Sunday and we will worship God by putting the second coat of paint on this man's house. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath!

Jenn - I'm guessing that they're a fair distance from each other???Caryn - glad to hear hubby can be chatty!

Tracy - yes it was good to have a chance to chat with the other mums.

Brenda - I'll have to stop by and look at the fan fiction, although I don't always do fanfiction, but I am looking for something to read at the moment.

Kayla, thanks for such a beautiful new house with a gorgeous setting! I’m sure we’ll be very comfortable here!

Sean, that’s good that at least your mom would get some compensation if she does lose her job! Thanks for posting that commercial…very amusing. I love the ending!

Suzan, the cupcakes turned out pretty well. I almost didn’t make enough frosting. I had one tablespoon over, and I only made roses for the ones my daughter took to school, not the whole batch. If there were any more kids in her class, I wouldn’t have had enough! They were really yummy though!

Lynne, I’m glad little man had a good time at the birthday party! It’s so different here…I know back home, parents generally stay at the parties for little ones. But here, they just drop them off and go. I’m sure it helped your son to know you were there if he needed you. I’m sorry about your finances…that’s so scary! I don’t think I could ever do my own business. At least not for a main income. I panic about money too easily. How can the insurance company refuse to pay? That’s so awful! Sometimes I think insurance companies are just evil! When we flew back from the US in 2010, our flight was delayed 7 hours and the only compensation we got was a couple of dinner vouchers for while we were stranded in the Orlando airport. (enough to pay for a meal at McDonalds) We found out that for flights of more than so many (1500?) kilometers, if they are more than 5 hours late, they are supposed to pay a few hundred dollars per passenger, but they denied our claim. I don’t see how they CAN do that..but I can’t imagine if it was my HOUSE. I’d be so ticked. Can he fight it?

Jaclyn, I’m not familiar with Robert Burns, but that’s cool that there’s a night devoted to celebrating him. I saw something the other day for a Jane Austen festival in Bath…that would be so cool. I’m such a nerd! LOL I’m sorry there won’t be any games when you are in NY. I was so upset when I went to the states 2 summers ago…I JUST missed the LeakyCon (Harry potter) in Orlando by a day or 2. So disappointing, isn’t it? And wow….those pictures…I especially love the jaw porn!

Caryn, stop it! You are making me hungry!! First all the talk about the luncheon for work and now the cougar dinner! Thanks for all the pictures…I think I’ll avoid that quiet place to think…Heights and I don’t get along. The one you posted of the many sides…the “sweet” one…did you see the Q&A video that went with that? That’s one that I watched when I stayed up WAY too late watching Twilight related interviews and laughing so hard! What is ISSMA? Yay for a gold rating!

Susie, the University of Wyoming has a Gamelan group. We studied it a bit in my World Music class…it’s not really my thing, but it is really interesting to learn about….there’s a lot of ritual that goes into it. Our professor went to Bali to study the traditions and such and then he started the group at the University. It’s cool that your son got a featured part. Thanks for hauling the birthday list over to the new house! You shouldn’t be lifting, though!!

Tracy, thanks for packing up the member list! It’s not a big deal, but when you have a minute, can you fix my username on it? It says sonDbird. And thanks for the beautimous pictures!

Marielle, I just noticed what book Rob is reading in that first picture you posted. LOL For some reason I can’t see the rug, though. Aren't dreams supposed to either reflect our desires or fears, or be about whatever you were thinking about right before you fell asleep? I think I read somewhere that dreams are your brain's way of processing the things going on in there...so if something happened to you that day that made you feel particularly strong emotions, you might dream about that. Or if you are worried about starting something new, you might dream about it...or if you are um...feeling frisky, you might dream wish fulfillment. Last night, after laughing about that very fun twilight product on the FB page, I shared it with some friends of mine from high school...and laughing about it with you and them, etc. made me dream about a high school reunion that was similar to what I would expect from HH Con. So maybe you were thinking of something before you went to bed that translated to your dream?

Amy, you can never have to many mirrors. Every house needs a few. Especially ones that reflect sexy eye candy! Wouldn't that be fantastic? To look in the mirror and see not yourself but some very drool-worthy male specimen?

Kristina, thanks for the decorations! About half of them take me to a scary looking woman with a fluffy blond wig and in period clothing, though. What are they SUPPOSED to be? I did however LOVE the guest bed…but why only for guests??

Ginnie, I will certainly add you to my prayer list! Nice tshirt! I’m with the others though…I don’t think I wore junior sizes when I was a junior! I wonder if you could have tshirts made…? Café press has some great tshirts, too.

Brenda, if only they could really host a nice brunch for all of us…Edward is supposedly quite the cook. I wouldn’t say no to his cinnamon rolls! Rob and Kristen/Edward and Bella had a son in your dream? Weird! We read an article here about bilingual children and it said basically the same as you did…they may have a slight delay in the beginning, but they catch up quickly and then tend to exceed their peers. And it also said that it somehow expanded that part of the brain or something so that it made them better with languages in general, so later if they want to learn another language, they’ll have an easier time of it. AND it’s supposed to somehow be a natural defense against dementia. Not sure how that works, but it’s cool anyway. I’ve never read any fanfic….I’m a canon fanatic, but it sounds like these will all have to follow canon? So maybe I would enjoy it…I’ll have to look. Thanks!

Tonise, I love that set with the throw, pillow and tote. I might have to add that to a wish list…do they have a Jacob one?

Jenn, how sweet that your daughter was coloring pictures for you. My fridge is almost completely covered with child artwork. And have fun with your mom!Desiree, sorry I missed it, but happy belated birthday! I hope you had a fantastic day!

BlueStarEgo, I don’t know you, but hi! I’m Susan/songbird and I’ve only been here for just over a month, but it’s already become a haven. I’m a stay at home mom of 2 and I work very occasionally in a shipping warehouse.

I hope I didn't forget anyone, but if I did, I'm sorry, and HI!I was going to make cinnamon rolls this morning, but I forgot to buy cream cheese for the frosting and stores are closed on Sundays. Boo. Next weekend, I guess. On the upside, my muscles are feeling better, so I’ll be able to get back to working out on Monday! Caryn really did make me hungry...so I guess I should go make some lunch. See you all later!